Apparatus for tying sausage casings or the like

ABSTRACT

Gathered portions of sausage casings, satchels, bags or like containers are tied by deformable elongated endless ties having two looped ends by placing the median portion of a tie between the gathered portion of a container and the crotch of a V-shaped deforming surface, by thereupon reducing the distance between the gathered portion and the crotch of the deforming surface to effect deformation and conversion of the tie into a substantially V-shaped blank, and by finally drawing one looped end of the blank through and beyond the other looped end so that the blank develops a noose which surrounds the gathered portion and an elongated looped handle which facilitates suspension of the container on a hook or the like.

Unite 1 [72] Inventor Paul Gaudlitz Fuhlsbuttlerweg 30, 2 Hamburg 61.Germany [21] AppLNo. 812,561 [22] Filed Mar. 27, 1969 [45] Patented June8, 1971 [32] Priority Mar. 28, 1968 [33] Germany [31] P 17 61 058.1

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 528,273, Feb. 17, 1966, nowPatent No. 3,473,292.

[54] APPARATUS FOR TYING SAUSAGE CASINGS OR THE LIKE 18 Claims, 10Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 53/135, 289/18 [51] Int.C1 B65f61/l4 [50] Field of Search53/134, 135,14,198 A, 3;289/l8; 229/62, 63

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,589 4/1918 Mogan etal.53/134X 2,841,935 7/1958 Krueger 53/135 3,318,623 5/1967 Barroso 289/18XFOREIGN PATENTS 1,209,938 1/1966 Germany 229/63 302,771 1/1955 Sweden H53/198A Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Neil AbramsAttorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: Gathered portions of sausagecasings, Satchels, bags or like containers are tied by deformableelongated endless ties having two looped ends by placing the medianportion of a tie between the gathered portion of a container and thecrotch ofa V-shaped deforming surface, by thereupon reducing thedistance between the gathered portion and the crotch of the deformingsurface to effect deformation and conversion of the tie into asubstantially V-shaped blank, and by finally drawing one looped end ofthe blank through and beyond the other looped end so that the blankdevelops a noose which surrounds the gathered portion and an elongatedlooped handle which facilitates suspension of the container on a hook orthe like.

PATENIEU JHH e um SHEET 1 [If 4 INVENTOR- PAUL GAUDUTZ l/w f [#41 hisATTORNEY PATENIEU JUN 8 I97! SHEET 2 BF 4 I NVENTO R'- PAUL eAuou z by1/1/47 m ATTORNEY PATENIED JUN 8 1911 SHEET 3 [IF 4 lNVENTOR PAULGAUDLITZ BY 1/4 f/A a.

his ATTO RN EY PATENIED JUN 8 I97! SHEET W []F 4 INVENTD'R PAULGAUIDLITZ Zw/'a'f his ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR TYING SAUSAGE CASINGS ORTHE LIKE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 528,273 filedFeb. 17, 1966 and entitled Tying apparatus for sausage casing, "and nowUS. Pat. No. 3,473,292.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a method andapparatus for tying deformable containers, particularly for tyinggathered portions of bags, envelopes, satchels, sausage casings or thelike. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a method andapparatus for tying gathered portions of deformable containers by meansof endless elongated deformable ties having looped ends and preferablyprovided with serrated surfaces which prevent loosening of nooses whichare formed around gathered portions.

It is already known to employ flexible metallic strips, paper stripswhich are reinforced by metallic wirelike inserts or cords and yarns asa means for tying the gathered portions of sausage casings or the like.The apparatus which are presently employed to apply ties to gatheredportions are either too complicated or incapable of completing theconversion ofties into clips which are formed with tightly appliednooses and which also serve as a means for facilitating suspension ofcon tainers on hooks or the like. In many instances, tying of sausagecasings is still performed by hand and the loop which serves tofacilitate suspension of a sausage must be formed separately, i.e.,subsequent to tying of gathered portions. This consumes much time andthe quality and reliability of loops depends almost entirely on theskill and conscientiousness of workers.

My copending application Ser. No. 528,273 discloses an apparatus whichcan be utilized to convert elongated deformable ties with looped endsinto nooses with looped handles so that the container whose end is tiedby such a tie can be immediately suspended on a hook or the like. Theapparatus of said copending application employs plastic ties and isprovided with means for deforming such ties prior to application to thegathered portion of a sausage casing or the like. The magazine for tiesis located at a level above the deforming statron SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION An object of my invention is to provide a novel and improvedmethod of tying deformable containers, particularly for tying gatheredportions of satchels, bags, sausage casings or the like, in a fullyautomatic way and with simultaneous formation ofa relatively largelooped suspending portion or han dle which allows for suspension ofcontainers on hooks or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method which can beresorted to in shaping of deformable ties to form nooses surroundinggathered portions of casings or like containers and according to whicheach of a succession of ties can be provided with a noose having thesame dimensions and configuration as the preceding noose or nooses.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for thepractice of my method and to construct and assemble the apparatus insuch a way that it can be manipulated and supervised by semiskilled orunskilled persons, that it can be used for intermittent or continuousoperation, and that each of a succession of containers is tied in thesame way as the preceding container or containers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whereindeformable ties are formed with nooses in a novel and improved way andwherein the containers to be tied can be fed by hand or automatically.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide the apparatus withnovel deforming, gathering, tie feeding, noose forming and other deviceswhich occupy little room and whose operation can be programmed to insurefully automatic delivery and shaping of ties.

One feature of my invention resides in the provision of a method oftying deformable containers, particularly of tying gathered portions ofsausage casing, envelopes, satchels, bags or the like by means ofendlesselongated deformable ties having looped ends. The method comprises thesteps of placing a median portion ofa tie between the gathered portionofa container and the crotch of a substantially U-shaped or V-shapeddeforming surface, reducing the distance between the gathered portion ofthe container and the crotch of the deforming surface to thereby effectdeformation and conversion of the tie into a substantially U-shaped orV-shaped blank, and drawing one of the looped ends of the blank throughand beyond the other looped end so that the blank forms a noose aroundthe gathered portion of the container.

The surfaces of ties are preferably serrated, at least in the region ofthe other looped end, to prevent loosening of the noose. Also, thelength of ties is preferably selected in such a way that the portionbetween the noose and the one looped end forms an elongated handle whichcan be suspended on a hook or the like.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved tying apparatus itself, however, both as to its constructionand its mode of operation, together with additional features andadvantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of thefollowing detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinalvertical sectional view of a hand-operated tying apparatus whichembodies one form of the invention and wherein a first movable supportis shown in a starting position, the section being taken in thedirection of arrows as seen from the line E F of FIG. 4;

FIG. 2 is a similar fragmentary longitudinal sectional view but showingthe support in an intermediate position;

FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary longitudinal sectional view but showingthe support in a second position;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the apparatus as seen in the directionof arrow X in FIG. 2, with certain parts shown in vertical section;

FIG. 5 illustrates a series of interconnected ties for use in theapparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a second apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a similar sectional view but showing the parts of the secondapparatus in different positions;

FIG. 8 is a similar sectional view but showing the parts of the secondapparatus in third positions;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a third apparatus;and

FIG. 10 illustrates the parts of the third apparatus in differentpositions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1 to 4,there is shown an apparatus which is utilized for tying gatheredportions I of sausage casings or the like. The apparatus comprises asubstantially boxshaped housing or frame 27 the top part of whichcarries a horizontal pivot 10 for a first support 2 which is a one-armedlever and is movable about the axis of the pivot 10 between a firstposition A (FIG. I), an intermediate position B (FIG. 2), and a secondposition C (FIG. 3). The support 2 is provided with two upwardlyextending sidewalls or checks 3 (see particularly FIG. 4) which areformed with aligned substantially V-shapcd recesses or sockets 3a. Thegathered portion 1 of a container is placed into the crotches ordeepmost portions of the sockets 3a so that it extends across the spacebetween the checks 3 while the support 2 dwells in the first position Ashown in FIG. 1. The portion 1 can be gathered or pleated in automaticresponse to introduction into the crotches of the recesses 30.

The pivot further carries a second pivotable support or lever 7 which isdisposed between the checks 3 and is located below an elongated cutoutor window in the support 2. The top face of the support 7 is formed witha concave recess or socket 6 which is bounded by a substantiallyU-shaped or V- shaped deforming surface and registers with the crotchesof the sockets 3a when the support 2 is moved to the position B or C.The second support 7 shares pivotal movements of the support 2 betweenthe positions B and C but does not move to the position A so as toinsure that there is ample room for introduction ofa tie 4 into thespace between the top face of the support 7 and the underside of thesupport 2 when the latter dwell in the'position A of FIG. 1. When thesupport 2 is moved from the position A to the position B, a tie 4 whosemedian portion overlies the recess 6 is deformed between the deformingsurface of the support 7 and the gathered portion I so that the tie isconverted into a V-shaped blank (see FIG. 2) with its looped ends 8 and9 facing each other at a level above the sockets 3a. When the support 2thereupon moves to the position C of FIG. 3, it entrains the support 7so that the blank in the recess 6 cannot change its position withreference to the gathered portion 1.

The apparatus further comprises a needle 14 which is guided in anelongated slot 16 of the support 7 and is operatively connected to thesupport 7 by a link 13. The link is articulately connected to a medianpart of the support 7 and to the shorter arm of the needle 14; thisneedle is a two-armed lever the longer arm of which is biased in acounterclockwise direction by a helical spring 12 one end convolution ofwhich is secured to the housing 27. The needle 14 is pivotable on astationary horizontal pivot pin 26 which is mounted in the housing 27.When the support 7 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 2 to thatshown in FIG. 3, the link 13 causes the needle 14 to pivot in aclockwise direction so as to stress the spring 12 and to propel itsbifurcated upper end through the looped end 9 and into engagement withthe looped end 8 of the V-shaped blank which is received in the recess 6and straddles the gathered portion 1 in the space between the sockets 3aof the cheeks 3. The upper arm of the needle 14 is movable in the spacebetween the cheeks 3 of the support 2 and one of its prongsautomatically engages and draws the looped end 8 through and beyond thelooped end 9 so that the blank develops a noose 4B (FIG. 10) whichsurrounds the gathered portion 1 in the space between the checks 3. Suchdrawing of the looped end 8 through and beyond the looped end 9 takesplace whenthe supports 2, 7 are released so that they are free to returnto the positions shown in FIG. 1 whereby the spring 12 dissipates energyand effects the formation of the aforementioned nose which surrounds andseals the gathered portion 1 of the casing. That part of the blank whichextends between the noose and the looped end 8 forms a handle 4D (FIG.10) which can be suspended on a hook in a butcher shop or in a largermeat processing plant.

When the pressure on the support 2 is relaxed, leaf spring 11 on thehousing 27 returns the supports 2 and 7 to the starting positions shownin FIG. 1. The means for moving the support 2 from the position shown inFIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2 and for thereupon moving thesupports 2 and 7 from the positions shown in FIG. 2 to the positionsshown in FIG. 3 comprises a suitable pedal or handle which can bemanipulated by the foot or hand of an operator, preferably by the footso that the hands are free to hold the gathered portion 1 in the sockets3a of the cheeks 3. When the supports 2 and 7 reassume the positionsshown in FIG. I, the gathered portion l (with a noose appliedtherearound) is withdrawn from the sockets 3a and the looped end 8 isdetached from the needle 14. The apparatus is then ready for the nextoperation. As

stated before, the spring 12 automatically draws the prongs of theneedle 14 through the looped end 9 and back to the position shown inFIG. 1 when the leaf spring 11 is free to dissipate energy. A stop 15 onthe needle 14 then strikes against the upper side of the support 7 at alevel above the slot 16 to locate the needle in a starting position andto determine the length of the aforementioned handle on the tie as wellas the force with which the noose of the tie surrounds the gatheredportion 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a source of ties 4 in the interior of the housing 27.This source includes an elongated strip 17 which consists of a series ofelongated parallel ties 4 shown on a larger scale in FIG. 5. Each tie 4has two looped ends 8, 9 and serrated surfaces in the region of thelooped end 9; the teeth 4b on such serrated surfaces prevent looseningof the noose when the needle 14 completes the formation of the noosearound the gathered portion 1. The leading portion of the strip 17 islocated in a supply channel 4aso that the foremost tie 4 can betransferred into the space between the crotches of the sockets 3a andthe top face of the support 7 when the supports 2 and 7 assume thepositions shown in FIG. I. A knife 5 with a concave cutting edge isadjacent to one of the cheeks 3 (FIG. 4) and serves to sever theforemost tie 4 from the next-following tie of the strip 17. The distancebetween the plane of the knife 5 and the left-hand check 3 of FIG. 4equals or approximates the width of a tie 4. The knife 5 is connectedwith the support 7 and severs the strip 17 to separate the foremost tie4 when the support 2 is caused to move from the position A of FIG. 1 tothe position B of FIG. 2. The feeding device of the tying apparatuscomprises two transporting levers 19 which are turnable on a horizontalshaft 18 and carry pawls 20 whose pallets or teeth can extend into thelooped ends in the foremost tie 4 of the strip 17. An actuating lever 21which is turnable with the shaft 18 and levers l9 rests on an abutment22 of the housing 27. The shaft 18 is mounted in one or more bracketswhich are carried by the support 2. When the latter is moved from theposition A to the position B, the abutment 22 of the housing 27 pivotsthe actuating lever 21 in a counterclockwise direction to thephantom-line position of FIG. 4 whereby the lever 21 causes thetransporting levers 19 and their pallets 20 to assume the phantom-linepositions. Blocking pawls 23 which are pivotably mounted on the brackets25 serve to prevent return movement of the strip 17 while the pawls 20move from the solid-line to the phantomline positions of FIG. 4. Aspring (not shown) serves to maintain the actuating lever 21 inengagement with the abutment 22 on the housing 27 so that, when thesupport 2 returns to the position A of FIG. I, the pawls 20 move fromthe phantomline to the solid-line positions of FIG. 4 and advance thestrip 17 by the width ofa tie. A fresh supply of ties 4 can be insertedinto the housing 27 in response to lifting of the support 2 beyond theposition A of FIG. 1. When the pawls 20 advance the foremost tie 4 ofthe strip 17 beyond the knife 5, the foremost tie pushes the previouslyseparated tie into the space between the sockets 3a and the recess 6 sothat such separated tie overlies the recess 6 and can be deformed inresponse to next movement of the support 2 from the position A to theposition B. The numeral 28 denotes leaf springs which are mounted ontransporting levers 19 and bias the pawls 20 against the strip 17.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the strip 17. This strip includes asuccession of plastic ties 4 which are connected to each other alongtheir narrower sides and are provided with teeth or serrations 4b in theregions adjacent to the looped ends 9. As shown, the looped ends 8 arepreferably rounded and the looped ends 9 are U-shaped. The teeth 4b canbe provided at both sides of each tie 4 on the surfaces which areadjacent to the respective looped ends 9. It is sufficient if the ties 4of each of adjoining ties are connected to each other only at the loopedends 8 and 9. Such ties can be made by stamping from a sheet ofdeformable (preferably ductile) synthetic plastic material. Theflexibility or deformability and the dimensions ofties 4 depend on theirintended use.

FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate portions of a second tying apparatus wherein themovable parts can be driven by a prime mover through the intermediary oftwo rotary cams 30, 31 which are mounted on a horizontal shaft 32installed in a housing 27' All such parts of this apparatus which areclearly identical with or analogous to corresponding parts of the firstapparatus are denoted by similar numerals each followed by a prime.Thus, the support 7 is rockable on a horizontal pivot 10'. The needle 14is a one-armed lever and has a roller follower 37 which tracks the faceof the cam 31. The face of the cam 30 is tracked by a roller follower 35on the support 7'. The support 2 forms an integral part of or is rigidlyconnected with the housing 27' and its checks or walls 3 are providedwith sockets 3a for the gathered portion 1 of a sausage casing. A spring38 connects the support 7' with the needle 14 and serves as a means formaintaining the followers 35, 37 in permanent engagement with the facesof the respective cams. A retaining or locating lever 33 is pivotallymounted on the housing 27 and is movable between the positions shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. In the position of FIG. 7, the crotch of the socket 33ain the retaining lever 33 overlies the gathered portion 1 in the sockets3a to thereby hold the portion 1 against upward movement with referenceto the cheeks 3'. The lever 33 then actuates a starter device 34 for anelectric, hydraulic, pneumatic or other suitable prime mover whichrotates the shaft 32 for the cams 30, 31. The faces of these cams thencause the corresponding followers 35, 37 to effect predeterminedmovements of the support 7' and needle 14'. It is clear that the spring38 can be replaced by two discrete springs.

The aforementioned retaining or locating lever 33 can be modified orreplaced by a lever 33A of the type shown in FIG. 8 which serves as ahood to protect the operators hands from the prongs of the needle I4.The spring 38 is preferably strong so that the needle 14' is rapidlypropelled from retracted to extended position when the support 7' movesfrom the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 8. In thisembodiment of my invention, the support 7 moves upwardly from the firstposition of FIG. 6 to the raised position of FIG. 7 whereby the medianportion of a tie 4 which overlies the recess 6' is deformed by thesurface surrounding the recess 6. The support 7' is thereupon caused tomove downwardly to the position of FIG. 8, after movement of the needle14 through the looped end 9, into engagement with looped end 8 duringback-movement of the needle to the position of FIG. 6 to thereby convertthe deformed blank into a clip which has a noose at one end and anelongated handle to permit suspension of the container on a hook or thelike. The source of ties 4 can be designed in the same way as describedin connection with FIG. 4. The same holds true for the feeding devicewhich supplies ties 4 to the support 7.

The forked front or working end of the needle 14 or 14' is preferablyprovided with a pivotable upper prong which normally assumes theposition shown in FIG. 8 but is pivoted by the looped end 8 duringpassage therethrough. The pivotable prong then returns to operativeposition, either by gravity or under the action ofa suitable spring (notshown) so as to draw the looped end 8 through and beyond the looped end9 when the needle 14 or 14' performs a return stroke. The inoperativeposition of the pivotable prong is indicated in FIG. 3 by phantom lines.

Referring finally to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a third tyingapparatus which is somewhat similar to the apparatus of FIGS. 6 to 8 butis provided with a modified needle 14 and further includes automaticgathering means for the portion 1 of a container. The needle 14"comprises a fixed first prong 55 of substantially U-shaped cross sectionand a drawing pawl or second prong 42 which is turnable on a pivot 43and extends into the portion 55. The latter constitutes a channeledguide for the prong 42. The rear end portion of the prong 42 is engagedby a braking or clamping spring 44 and the front end portion 54 oftheprong 42 forms a pointed hook 54. The bias of the spring 44 is selectedin such a way that it permits movements of the prong 42 with referenceto the guide 55 but normally holds this prong against uncontrolledmovement, for example, under the action of gravity or by centrifugalforce. The support is turnable on a pivot 10" and has a roller 40 whichtransmits motion to the prong 42 during certain stages of movement ofthe needle 14". The means for effecting movements of the prong 42 withreference to the guide 55 further comprises a leaf spring 45 which ismounted in the housing 27". The roller 40 engages the rear end portionof the prong 42 when the needle 14 moves to the position shown in FIG.10 and the spring 45 engages the hook 54 when the needle 14" moves tothe position shown in FIG. 9. The prong 42 corresponds to theaforementioned pivotable prong of the needle 14 or 14 and is adapted toautomatically release the looped end 8 of a tie when the needle 14"returns to the retracted position of FIG. 10 so that the finished clamp4A is automatically separated from the needle. The spring 45 insuresthat the hook 54 engages the looped end 8 in the foremost position ofthe needle 14". The shaft of the roller 40 is adjustable in an arcuateelongated slot 41 of the support. 7" and the spring 45 is adjustableupon rotation of a tightening screw 46 which connects the spring 45 tothe housing 27". The stem of the screw 46 extends through an elongatedslot in the top wall of the housing 27". Such adjustability of the parts40, 45 enables the operator to properly select those positions of theneedle 14" in which the hook 54 of the prong 42 respectively engages andreleases the looped end 8 of a tie which overlies the recess 6" of thesupport 7". Further adjustments in operation of the needle 14" can beeffected by moving its roller follower 37 with reference to an elongatedslot 57 toward or away from the pivot 26". The manner in which the earns30'', 31 on the shaft 32" respectively drive the followers 35", 37" isthe same as described in connection with FIGS. 6 to 8. The housing 27"constitutes or carries a support having checks or walls 3" with sockets3a".

The aforementioned automatic gathering means of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 comprises a horizontal shaft 50 for an arm 48 having aroller follower 51 which tracks a third cam 53 on the shaft 32". The arm48 supports a bifurcated gathering element 47 of spring steel or similarelastic material which is biased by a helical spring 52 so that itnormally tends to assume the position shown in FIG. 10. During theinitial stage of a noose forming operation, the cam 53 pivots the arm 48to move the gathering element 47 to the position shown in FIG. 9 wherebythe tines of the element 47 press the adjacent portion of the containerinto the sockets 3a and thereby form the gathered portion 1. The tinesof the element 47 are closely adjacent to the outer sides of the checks3''. A suitable clamping device 49 is employed to separably andadjustably secure the gathering element 47 to the arm 48. The means forbiasing the needle 14" to the position shown in FIG. 9 comprises aspring 58 which insures that the adjustable roller follower 37"continuously tracks the face 0 the corresponding cam 31".

In order to prevent undesirable shifting of a freshly separated tie withreference to the support 7", the latter is preferably provided withholding projections 56 which overlie the looped ends 8 and 9 of afreshly separayed tie. When the tie is thereupon converted into aV-shaped blank in response to movement of the support 7" from theposition of FIG. 10 to that of FIG. 9, the looped ends 8, 9 areautomatically withdrawn from the notches below the projections 56. FIG.10 shows a finished clamp 4A with a noose 4B and handle 4D.

When the gathering element 47 holds the portion l in the sockets 4a" ofthe cheeks 3" and the support 7" is moved to the position shown in FIG.9, the median portion of the tie on the support 7" is deformed so thatthe tie forms a V-shaped blank (FIG. 9) and the needle 14" moves itsguide 55 and prong 42 through the looped end 9 and toward the looped end8. The end 8 is engaged by the book 54 when the latter is engaged by thespring 45 whereby the needle 14" properly holds the looped end 8 anddraws it through the looped end 9 during return movement to the positionshown in FIG. 10. The roller 40 engages the rear end of the prong 42 todisengage its hook 54 from the looped end 8 when the blank is convertedinto a clip 4A with a noose 48 at one end (applied around the gatheredportion 1) and with a handle 4D extending to the left of the noose 48,as viewed in FIG. 10. The recess 6" in the top face of the support 7"between the projections 56 is shown in FIG. 10.

The prime mover which drives the cams of FIGS. 68 and 9-10 is preferablya so-called braked electric motor which comes to a halt when the camscomplete a full revolution.

It is clear that the improved apparatus is susceptible of manyadditional modifications without departing from the spirit of myinvention. For example, the apparatus of FIGS. 6-8 and/or 9-10 canemploy two pivotable supports in the same way as described in connectionwith FIGS. 1 to 4. Also, the apparatus of FIGS. 6-8 and/or 910 canemploy a stationary support 7' or 7 and a movable support correspondingto the support 2 of FIGS. 1 to 4. The apparatus of FIGS. 14 and/or 68can be provided with gathering means, and the apparatus of FIGS. l-4 maybe provided with a poweroperated drive for moving the supports 2 and 7.It is further clear that the supports can be inverted or mounted atright angles to the positions shown in the drawing. Suitable devices canbe provided to control the speed and the extent of displacement ofsupports and/or needle. The containers can be fed by hand or byautomatic machinery, depending on the desired output and the size of theestablishment wherein the apparatus is put to use. The starter device 34of FIGS. 68 can be replaced by a starter device which initiates rotationof the cams as soon asthe gathered portion 1 is fully accommodated inthe sockets 3a or 3a", i.e., the portion 1 can trigger an operationwhich results in the formation of a clamp 4A, for example, in responseto closing of a suitable microswitch.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of my contribution to the art.

What I claim as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is setforth in the appended claims:

1. Apparatus for tying deformable containers, particularly for tyinggathered portions of sausage casings or bags by means of endlesselongated deformable ties having looped ends, comprising; a firstsupport defining substantially V- shaped socket means for the gatheredportion ofa container; a second support having a substantially V-shapeddeforming surface; means for moving at least one of said supportsbetween first and second positions in which the crotches of said socketmeans and said surface are respectively spaced from and aligned witheach other; feeding means for transferring ties from a source of tiesinto the space between said supports in the first position of said onesupport so that amcdian portion of the transferred tie is locatedbetween said crotches and is caused by the gathered portion in saidsocket means to enter. the crotch of said surface in response tomovement of said one support to second position whereby the tie, isconverted into a substantially V-shaped blank; and a drawing membermovable through one looped end of the blank to engage and to draw theother looped end through and beyond such one looped end whereby theblank develops a noose surrounding the gathered portion of thecontainer.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first support comprisesa pair of spaced parallel walls flanking said second support, saidsocket means comprising a pair of aligned sockets each provided in oneof said walls and the distance between said walls at least approximatelythe width of a tie.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drawing membercomprises a needle and further comprising means for moving said needlein synchronism with movements of said one support.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising drive means formoving said drawing member in synchronism with said one support, saidmoving means comprising rotary cam means and follower means provided onsaid one support and said drawing member and arranged to track said cammeans.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stationaryframe, the other of said supports being rigid with said frame.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said one support ispivotable in said frame about a fixed axis and wherein said drawingmember is movable in a plane which is normal to said axis.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim I, wherein said one support and saiddrawing member are pivotable in said frame about parallel axes, andfurther comprising first drive means for moving said drawing membertoward engagement with said other looped end and second drive means formoving the drawing member with the thus engaged other looped end, one ofsaid drive means comprising resilient means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source comprises astrip of coherent ties and wherein said feeding means comprises meansfor severing successive ties from said strip.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising a framesupporting said one support and said source and defining a channelthrough which the ties are fed from said source into the space betweensaid supports in the first position of said one support.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the other of said supportscomprises a pair of spaced parallel walls and said socket meanscomprises a pair of aligned sockets each provided in one of said walls,said means for severing comprising a knife connected with said onesupport and movable in a plane which is parallel to and spaced from oneof said walls by a distance approximating the width of a tie.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said feeding means furthercomprises at least one movable transporting member arranged to advancethe strip by the width ofa tie in response to each movement of said onesupport from one of said positions to the other position.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drawing membercomprises a needle having a bifurcated drawing end including a fixedfirst prong and a second prong movable with reference to said firstprong.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said second prong ispivoted with reference to said first prong when said drawing end engagesthe other looped end ofa blank.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said fixed prong is ofsubstantially U-shaped cross-sectional outline and said second prong ispivotally connected to and extends into said first prong, and furthercomprising means for moving said second prong with reference to saidfirst prong in response to movement of said needle with reference tosaid one support.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said means for moving saidsecond prong comprises a first member provided on said one support and astationary second member.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising gathering meansfor moving portions of successive containers into said socket means.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising a frame forsaid supports, said gathering means comprising a manually operatedmember mounted on said frame.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising drive means formoving said gathering means in synchronism with said one support.

1. Apparatus for tying deformable containers, particularly for tyinggathered portions of sausage casings or bags by means of endlesselongated deformable ties having looped ends, comprising; a firstsupport defining substantially V-shaped socket means for the gatheredportion of a container; a second support having a substantially V-shapeddeforming surface; means for moving at least one of said supportsbetween first and second positions in which the crotches of said socketmeans and said surface are respectively spaced from and aligned witheach other; feeding means for transferring ties from a source of tiesinto the space between said supports in the first position of said onesupport so that a median portion of the transferred tie is locatedbetween said crotches and is caused by the gathered portion in saidsocket means to enter the crotch of said surface in response to movementof said one support to second position whereby the tie is converted intoa substantially V-shaped blank; and a drawing member movable through onelooped end of the blank to engage and to draw the other looped endthrough and beyond such one looped end whereby the blank develops anoose surrounding the gathered portion of the container.
 2. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first support comprises a pair ofspaced parallel walls flanking said second support, said socket meanscomprising a pair of aligned sockets each provided in one of said wallsand the distance between said walls at least approximately the width ofa tie.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drawing membercomprises a needle and further comprising means for moving said needlein synchronism with movements of said one support.
 4. Apparatus asdefined in claim 1, further comprising drive means for moving saiddrawing member in synchronism with said one support, said moving meanscomprising rotary cam means and follower means provided on said onesupport and said drawing member and arranged to track said cam means. 5.Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stationary frame,the other of said supports being rigid with said frame.
 6. Apparatus asdefined in claim 5, wherein said one support is pivotable in said frameabout a fixed axis and wherein said drawing member is movable in a planewhich is normal to said axis.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein said one support and said drawing member are pivotable in saidframe about parallel axes, and further comprising first drive means formoving said drawing member toward engagement with said other looped endand second drive means for moving the drawing member with the thusengaged other looped end, one of said drive means comprising resilientmeans.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source comprisesa strip of coherent ties and wherein said feeding means compriseS meansfor severing successive ties from said strip.
 9. Apparatus as defined inclaim 8, further comprising a frame supporting said one support and saidsource and defining a channel through which the ties are fed from saidsource into the space between said supports in the first position ofsaid one support.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the otherof said supports comprises a pair of spaced parallel walls and saidsocket means comprises a pair of aligned sockets each provided in one ofsaid walls, said means for severing comprising a knife connected withsaid one support and movable in a plane which is parallel to and spacedfrom one of said walls by a distance approximating the width of a tie.11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said feeding means furthercomprises at least one movable transporting member arranged to advancethe strip by the width of a tie in response to each movement of said onesupport from one of said positions to the other position.
 12. Apparatusas defined in claim 1, wherein said drawing member comprises a needlehaving a bifurcated drawing end including a fixed first prong and asecond prong movable with reference to said first prong.
 13. Apparatusas defined in claim 12, wherein said second prong is pivoted withreference to said first prong when said drawing end engages the otherlooped end of a blank.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, whereinsaid fixed prong is of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional outlineand said second prong is pivotally connected to and extends into saidfirst prong, and further comprising means for moving said second prongwith reference to said first prong in response to movement of saidneedle with reference to said one support.
 15. Apparatus as defined inclaim 14, wherein said means for moving said second prong comprises afirst member provided on said one support and a stationary secondmember.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprisinggathering means for moving portions of successive containers into saidsocket means.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, further comprising aframe for said supports, said gathering means comprising a manuallyoperated member mounted on said frame.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim16, further comprising drive means for moving said gathering means insynchronism with said one support.